Mitchell Airport guide

General Mitchell International Airport is Wisconsin's largest, served by 16 airlines with non-stop or direct service to more than 90 destinations (see airline directory, below). It is, along with Omaha, one of the Midwest Express Airlines hubs.

Its manageable size makes getting to your flight as painless as possible in these hectic times, and transfers/connections are a breeze compared to other airports. Distances between gates are easily walkable, and there are some moving sidewalks, although they are rather inconveniently located one flight below the gates level.

Just a reminder: when you arrive at Mitchell International, you may feel like you've just entered a nice city. That's true, but it is no reason to let down your guard. Crime exists everywhere. Take the same precautions against theft as you would at any airport.

Directions: Mitchell International, 5300 S. Howell Ave., is only 15 minutes south of downtown Milwaukee, one mile east of I-94. A freeway exit leads directly to the terminals. To reach the airport from Chicago, take I-94 West to the airport exit. To reach the airport by phone, call 414-747-5300.

Ticketing, check-in & baggage: The ticketing and check-in windows are below the main concourse and are usually efficient, although lines do build up when flights are frequent. It is best to arrive an hour ahead to complete check-in and get to your gate, although you are likely to be able to do it at an stress-free pace.

The baggage carousels are directly across the drive outside the check-in area and can be reached from the main concourse without venturing outside. Arriving passengers will find a variety of rental car companies located in the baggage area. See below for a list.

Services: In the main concourse is an M&I Bank branch with an ATM attached. This ATM -- and the one at the entrance to Terminal E -- accept TYME, Fast Bank, Honor, Instant Cash, Jubilee, Magic Line, Money Network, Plus, Shazam and Star money cards. Just to the right the bank, toward Concourse C is a bank of mail boxes and a vending machine for postage stamps as well as a Fed Ex drop box. If you need more in-depth US Mail services, there is a 24-hour, 7-ay-a-week post office on the western edge of the airport on S. Howell Ave. A barber and shoe shine stand is on the main concourse, as well.

Information booths are located in the baggage carousel area and in the center of the main concourse, near the arrival and departure monitors.

Luggage carts are available in the skywalks that connect the parking structure to the main concourse and also in each of the radiating concourses. These are $2, with $.25 being refunded upon return of the cart to a collecting station.

Pay phones, fax machines, storage lockers and rest rooms are sprinkled generously throughout the airport.

Shopping: A range of shopping is available on the main course, including Renaissance Books, which stocks an eclectic mix of used books and magazines, and a number of gift shops like Something Special from Wisconsin (cow themes, etc.), Four Winds (Native American items), and Milwaukee Country Store (preserves, stuffed animals). There is also a Harley-Davidson gift shop with H-D clothing and other biker gear. A variety of magazine shops will keep you busy for a little while.

Not a shop, but a great way to pass a little time at Mitchell International is The Mitchell Gallery of Flight in the main concourse. This small (free) museum uses a series of interesting exhibits with scale models, memorabilia and more, to tell the dynamic story of aviation, with a special focus on Milwaukee's airports and aviation heroes.

Food: If you're feeling a bit peckish, there are a number of noshing options. Starbucks carts on all concourses and The Gourmet Bean in the main concourse serve coffee and other beverages and some bakery items. A Burger King and Pizza Hut serve the fast food crowd although the Mitchell Café and a Usinger's outlet serving sausages, soups and other deli items are more satisfying options. An Edy's outlet scoops up frozen treats, le Croissant has bakery items, and Buddy Squirrel dishes up candy and nuts. Snack bars anchor the ends of each concourse.

Bars: Billy's Pub in the main concourse is a largest pub in the airport, but there are smaller bars in each concourse as well.

Parking: The first 30 minutes of parking in any airport parking area are free and $1 for each half hour after that. In the parking structure there is a $7 maximum for daily parking and a $15 a day maximum for hourly parking. There is a $7 a day maximum on the surface lot to the south of the terminal. Remote parking lot A is $5 a day, and it's $4 per day for remote lots B & C, which are open only during peak periods. The parking structure is conveniently linked to the main concourse by skywalks (especially handy in winter!). Free shuttle service provided in structure and to and from remote lots. Don't park in the drop off area outside the ticket and check-in counters as security is quick to levy fines.

Bus connections: Badger Coaches (serving downtown Milwaukee, Goerke's Corners (between Brookfield and Waukesha), Lake Mills and Madison / 414-276-7490.

Greyhound Flight Link (serving Green Bay, Fond du Lac, Oshkosh, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Appleton, Stevens Point, and the Upper Peninsula) / 1-800-287-6359.

Milwaukee Public Transit (serving Milwaukee County) / 414-344-6711.

United Limo (serving Racine, Kenosha, Gurnee, IL, and Chicago's O'Hare and Midway Airports) / 1-800-833-5555.

Wisconsin Coach Lines (serving Waukesha, Racine and Kenosha Counties) / 414-542-886.1

Auto rental:
Alamo / 1-800-327-9633
Avis / 1-800-831-2847
Budget / 1-800-527-0700
Hertz / 1-800-654-3131
National / 1-800-328-4567

Airlines:
Air Canada / 1-888-247-2262
America West / 1-800-235-9292 Espanol 1-800-533-6862
American Eagle/ 1-800-433-7300
American Trans Air/ 1-800-225-2995 or 1-800-IFLY-ATA
Comair (The Delta Connection) / 1-800-354-9822
Continental / 1-800-523-3273
Delta / 1-800-221-1212
Lufthansa / 1-800-645-3880
Midwest Express / 1-800-452-2022
Northwest / 1-800-225-2525
Skyway (The Midwest Express Connection) / 1-800-452-2022
Sun Country / 1-800-752-1218
Trans World / 1-800-221-2000
United & United Express / 1-800-241-6522
US Airways & US Airways Express / 1-800-428-4322

Shuttle services:
Airport Connection / 414-769-2444 or 800-236-5450.
A1 Transportation, Inc. (serving southeastern Wisconsin; pre-reserved only) / 414-272-1955.
Wisconsin Limousine Services, Inc / 414-769-2444 or 800-236-5450

Some downtown hotels also provide shuttle services to the airport. Contact the specific hotel for details.

Taxi companies:
American United / 414-220-5000
Brew City / 414-442-2739
City Veteran / 414-291-8080
Yellow Cab / 414-271-1800

 



 

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A guide to Gen. Mitchell Int'l Airport
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